The Fikayo Tomori Illusion: Has He Really Succeeded At AC Milan?

Fikayo Tomori was tipped to be one of Cobham’s finest academy graduates. After a handful of character-building loans whilst with the Blues, the defender finally got his break with the club. However, zoned out through injuries and Chelsea’s big spending, Tomori opted for a move abroad to Italian giants AC Milan.

It has almost become an assumption that the group of English youngsters who sought their football overseas for rejuvenation have all elevated their game since doing so – Tomori, Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek to name a few. But is that really the case?

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿✨ Tomori, Abraham, Loftus-Cheek: from Chelsea's academy to Milan. 🤝❤️

All 3 played in Milan's 3-0 win over Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final. pic.twitter.com/NRK46ajwCv

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 24, 2025

Entering his prime ages now at 27, Fikayo Tomori has sruggled to mark his name down in the frequent England squads and has endured an extremely troubled season with AC Milan this year. Without the limelight of the English media, it is hard to notice whether he has actually impressed in the famous red and black stripes.

Positive Beginnings

Fikayo Tomori’s journey with AC Milan began superbly. After he signed permanently from his six-month loan deal, Tomori entered a season which would emerge to be colossal for his career. Him and Milan finally scraped past their immense competition in 2022, as they won the Serie A after a long-awaited 11 years. Tomori played a huge part in this title-winning campaign, starting 30 matches in the league and earning 16 clean sheets along the way.

AC Milan have won the Serie A for the first time since 2011!

🔴⚫️🏆 pic.twitter.com/S7276wpmja

— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) May 22, 2022

This led many to rightly believe he was fulfilling his potential at his new venture – a perception that has stuck with us to this day. His positive performances carried through to the following season. AC Milan did not quite retain their league title status; however, they narrowly missed out on a Champions League final after a devastating loss over two legs to their arch-rivals Inter Milan. Tomori was Milan’s star centre-back, contributing 43 appearances across both competitions – all at the age of just 25.

A Torrid Season

This season has featured a complete contrast of events. AC Milan have just finished the Serie A campaign finished in eighth spot, missing out on any European competition next term. They lost the Coppa Italia final to Bologna, as well as collapsing in the Champions League round of 16 playoff places.

This huge implosion of the Red and Black’s camp has appeared to take its toll of Fikayo Tomori. Despite injuries disturbing his playing time in the past, this season the 27-year-old has not suffered an injury yet only played 22 games out of a possible 38 in the Serie A. The defender has only helped towards eight clean sheets in the Italian top flight this season, and his defensive stats have thoroughly dropped off.

(Fikayo Tomori 2024/25 Stats: FotMob)

Although any player can have an off year, it seems like Tomori is not at the top of anyone’s discussion regarding his time in Italy. Many people just seem to perceive him as performing well and moving on from Chelsea to something better, when that is not specifically true. Especially when you compare the development of some of Chelsea’s young players this season, to AC Milan’s season of horror.

England Exclusion

One thing that signals Fikayo Tomori’s recent struggles is his absence from international call-ups. England are a national team that often experiment by chopping and changing their squad heading into a new camp. At the age of 27, Tomori has only ever made five appearances for the England senior team, without travelling to a single major tournament.

(Fikayo Tomori England Appearances: Transfermarkt)

Furthermore, the Canadian-born has not featured in an England camp since November 2023, losing out to the hands of many other defenders in his position. Of course, his hamstring injury between that following December and February 2024 meant that Gareth Southgate could not select him. However, with a brand-new manager in Thomas Tuchel arriving, now is the perfect time for Tomori to impress and get back in the squad.

We have just over a year until the next World Cup, making the next season extremely important for Tomori to knuckle down and secure a seat on that plane that heads to North America – should England guarantee their spot. With the aging of some of England’s central defenders, the position is in no way saturated. This gives Fikayo Tomori an open avenue for a return to the team.

BREAKING: The 2026 @FIFAWorldCup will be hosted in the USA, Mexico and Canada. pic.twitter.com/j34uyFE56U

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 13, 2018